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Excimer laser PRK

The laser used to correct short sight, long-sight and astigmatism is known as an excimer laser and is 'cold' in nature because it uses ultra-violet light that does not burn. The resulting technique, called PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy), involves the use of the laser to gently remove tissue (usually less than 5%) from the central area of the cornea. This decreases the curvature of the cornea, thus reducing myopia and giving clearer vision without lenses.

The Treatment

The treatment is carried out as an outpatient procedure on one eye at a time. You should expect your laser treatment visit to last for no more than 1½ hours. The eye to be treated is anaesthetised with local anaesthetic drops. These drops are all that is required to anaesthetise the eye (no injections are necessary) and you should feel no pain at all during treatment.

The whole treatment process takes less than fifteen minutes and the laser treatment itself is very brief - typically lasting for no more than 40 seconds.

Following treatment, you can go home.

You will return for your first aftercare visit within the first week and then your specialist will want to see you for regular check-ups during the months that follow.

Progress after PRK

Treatment The effects of PRK are not instantaneous, as corneal tissue is slow healing. The outer layer of cells grows back within 3 days but there is an on-going healing process inside the cornea. Initially, the vision in the treated eye will be poor but there will be gradual improvement over the ensuing weeks and months. The healing process has usually stabilised by three months but it may be longer before the final result is known. The ophthalmologist will only consider treating the second eye when he or she is satisfied with the outcome of the treatment of the first.

Presbyopia - the need for reading glasses

PRK will not slow down or prevent the processes that occur inside the eye which cause the gradual loss of close up focusing. This process, known as Presbyopia, is usually first noticed in the late 40's and leads, ultimately, to the need for reading glasses. Mild short sight can delay the day when reading glasses become a necessity.

The Excimer Laser PRK technique can also be used for treating long-sight. Unlike the treatment for short sight, where tissue is removed by the laser from the centre of the cornea, the laser is directed by a computer to remove a circle of more peripheral corneal tissue. This has the effect of reducing the amount of long-sightedness in the treated eye. In all other respects of the treatment and its aftercare, the procedure is identical for the correction of Myopia.

IMPORTANT NOTES

Do notify your GP before going ahead with laser treatment, as he/she may be aware of factors relating to your general state of health, which could make you unsuitable for treatment.

We regret that we cannot recommend laser treatment clinics or surgeons. Your GP and optometrist can assist.  

Eyecare Trust

We are indebted to the Eyecare Trust for providing the content for this section